40 Years of Force-Feeding Ban in Switzerland – Yet «Foie Gras» Imports Are Booming

This year, Switzerland marks the fortieth anniversary of its ban on the production of force-fed animal products, most notably the delicacy «Foie Gras».

Despite the domestic ban on force-feeding, more than 200 tonnes of «Foie Gras» are imported each year. A nationally representative survey conducted by FOUR PAWS found that 74% of the Swiss population opposes the cruel practice of force-feeding and supports an import ban on such products.

The Swiss public wants a Switzerland free of force-feeding. This is the finding of a representative survey conducted by the animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS. Although around one third of the population consumes duck or goose meat on special occasions – which in many cases comes from force-fed animals – three in four respondents would like to see an import ban on force-fed products produced through animal cruelty. This concern is consistent with the existing domestic production ban: force-feeding was prohibited forty years ago on animal welfare grounds through its inclusion in Swiss animal protection legislation, yet consumption in Switzerland remains alarmingly high.

Three in four respondents want a ban on force-feeding

According to a survey, 41% of the Swiss population consumes duck and/or goose meat at least once a year, with the majority (33%) doing so only on special occasions (e.g. Christmas). The highest consumption (65%) is in French-speaking Switzerland, while it is half that figure in other regions. 74% of respondents expressed support for a ban on imports of products from force-feeding. In addition to the meat, the down of waterfowl should not be overlooked: around one quarter of respondents had purchased down products in the past two years. And down, too, can come from force-fed animals.

FOUR PAWS is committed to a Switzerland free from force-feeding cover-ups

Although force-feeding is prohibited by law in Switzerland, the country imports well over 200 tonnes of foie gras and several hundred tonnes of duck breast (including “magret,” or in other words “force-fed duck breast”) every year. Based on the survey results, FOUR PAWS is calling for a mandatory labelling requirement for all products derived from force-feeding. Lucia Oeschger, Campaign Manager at FOUR PAWS Switzerland, comments:

The public has a very clear view of the animal welfare problem with foie gras. However, many people are unaware that other duck and goose products — such as “magret” — also come from force-fed animals and are therefore just as cruel as the famous foie gras. As a first step towards a consistently force-feeding-free Switzerland, we are therefore calling for all products derived from force-feeding to be clearly labelled as such. Consumers should be able to easily identify whether duck or goose products were produced with or without the cruel practice of force-feeding.

What is Foie Gras?

In order for a duck or goose liver to be sold as “foie gras” (German: Stopfleber or Fettleber, meaning stuffed or fatty liver), the animals are force-fed — or “stuffed.” Up to four times a day, a tube is forced down their oesophagus and food is pumped directly into their stomachs. By the time they reach slaughter weight, their pathologically enlarged livers weigh ten times the normal amount. Severe injuries to the oesophagus, respiratory distress, and a mortality rate ten to twenty times higher than normal accompany this cruel practice.